Trials of the Blood Dragon is a crossover between a Far Cry 3 DLC and the Trials series, neither of which I've played, and after this neither of which I will. The game tries to embrace every 1980s film stereotype including overly macho characters, film homages, massive explosions, aliens, giant monsters, Communists threats, a Miami Vice colorscheme, you name it. This was a bit of a fad when this game came out, but they do it here with little subtlety, it's just thrown in your face in a vague attempt to be funny. Combine this with some awful voice acting and contrived storylines, and it makes the cutscene plot, which is a significant amount of the runtime, a complete waste of time. This is a motorcycle game however, we're not here for the plot, and unfortunately that's just as bad. Firstly, there's more than just motorcycle levels, as they also introduce mechanics like dual-stick shooting and a grappling hook, which are incredibly frustrating to use, not to mention straight platforming levels. Perhaps a third of the levels are just platforming with no vehicle riding, and the physics are very wonky. My issues with the physics extend to the actual vehicle levels as well though. You'll ride a bike or motorcycle depending on the level, and they are awful to control. You have very little fine control over controlling them, once they gain angular momentum, it's a waste of time to try and straighten out again, and they have so much torque -- particularly the bike -- that you'll often just flip over trying to climb hills. This is probably a more fun game to watch than to play, and I'll admit the music is pretty good, but everything about it is just grating and frustrating. Finally, I know they're doing a 1980s parody, but singling out the Vietnamese as the villains of the game, complete with ahem stereotypical dialogue, is just abhorrent.

This might be the line in the sand beyond which I will not finish a game.

Powered through it based on past affection i have for Trials HD and the other Red Lynx classics.

There are on-foot shooting sections that are absolutely horrendus. and there are multiple of them. The onbike stuff is fun as always but it never gets to those ultra challenging challenges i felt like was part of the series DNA.
only play it if you have to.

It's a disgrace that this game has "Trials" in the name. None of the qualities that make a Trials game exceptional and satisfying are present in whatever this game is. Bad motorcycle physics, a lot of gimmicky gameplay with jetpacks, mine carts and swinging ropes and incredibly bad on-foot section. One has to wonder how the platforming can be implemented to feel so incredibly bad.

The humor and constant references are also more embarrassing than anything else.

Avoid, unless you just want to complete the series.. In which case go into the game expecting anything but Trials.